THE WIRE OF NOVEMBER 3, 2023: The French Institute in Gaza hit by an Israeli attack
In an escalation of tensions which continues to intensify, the French Institute in Gaza was the target of Israeli fire, arousing France’s incomprehension and indignation. The incident occurred on Friday, in a context already marked by continued attacks by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip. Paris immediately demanded an explanation from Israel, denouncing this action as unacceptable.
This airstrike also hit the AFP office in Gaza, causing significant damage. The situation in the region continues to deteriorate, with more and more civilian casualties and humanitarian infrastructure destroyed. Calls for a truce and the protection of civilians are increasing, but the fighting continues to rage.
Another deadly attack took place during the day, targeting an ambulance at the entrance to the Gaza hospital. According to the Hamas Ministry of Health, 13 people lost their lives in this strike. Israel says the targeted vehicle was used by a Hamas terrorist cell. Ambulances were transporting injured people who were to be evacuated to Egypt for treatment.
Faced with this spiral of violence, the international community is trying to react. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the holding of a “humanitarian conference” on November 9 in Paris, as part of the Paris Peace Forum. This meeting aims to mobilize major donors and accelerate aid to Gaza, particularly in the food, medical equipment and energy sectors. However, the delivery of aid remains a major challenge, as Israel strictly limits the passage of goods and people to the Gaza Strip.
In a highly anticipated speech, Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatened to expand the conflict across the region if the United States and Israel did not end their aggression in Gaza. He also warned that he would not allow any actor to take advantage of this conflict to attack Lebanon. These statements highlight growing tensions in the region and the possibility of a widening conflict.
Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for humanitarian pauses to allow for more effective and sustained distribution of aid. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made any temporary truce conditional on the release of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas.
The situation in the Holy Land continues to deteriorate, with dramatic consequences for the civilian population. The international community is seeking solutions, but the lack of real political will seems to be hampering peace efforts. In the meantime, the people of Gaza live in fear and destruction, fighting for survival in a conflict that shows no signs of easing.